He's gonna catch if she falls: Cheryl Cole performs VERY sultry dance with Derek Hough

Chemistry: Cheryl Cole on stage last night at the LG Arena in Birmingham with dancer Derek Hough

The fight for her four-year marriage may well be over, but there certainly appeared to be a battle of emotions going on as Cheryl Cole performed on stage with Derek Hough last night.

The defiant singer sent out another 'strong woman' message while strutting her way through an intimate ballroom dance to the song Parachute with her handsome dancer friend.

With their eyes locked on one another and bodies entwined, Cheryl and Derek had the audience enraptured and the chemistry between them was obvious.

In her skimpy flesh-coloured outfit, which left little to the imagination, the X Factor judge looked like she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Her soon-to-be ex husband Ashley appeared to be the last thing on her mind.

Cheryl was pictured on stage at the LG Arena in Birmingham for the last UK date of her tour with the Black Eyed Peas.

In the next few days she will fly to France where the gigs continue in Paris on Friday, no doubt bringing Hough along with her.

Of course they're both professionals but as she sang the lyrics to Parachute, the pair became intimately entangled.

As the song goes: 'I don't need a parachute, Baby if I've got you, I don't need a parachute, You're gonna catch me, You're gonna catch if I fall.'

Ashley will also be taking to the skies tonight - but with his England team mates - bound for South Africa ahead of the World Cup.

Doing the splits: Cheryl showed off her toned thighs in her revealing flesh-coloured ensemble

Confident: Dancing With The Stars professional Derek appeared to enjoy getting up close and personal with her

Intimate: Cheryl lies backwards over Hough's knee during their rendition of Parachute

Good show: The dancer has been a source of comfort to Cheryl since her split from soon-to-be ex husband Ashley, who will fly out today to South Africa ahead of the World Cup

Last week Girls Aloud star Cheryl sent out another defiant message while performing at the O2 Arena in London, telling the 20,000-strong crowd: 'Goodnight London and thank you. It’s been a pleasure as always.

‘I want to tell all you strong women in the house tonight, that’s my favourite word: strong.’

Perhaps the reason for her new-found strength is the support she is being given by Hough.

As soon as he finished his duties in America on Dancing With The Stars last week, he jetted out to Cheryl to take to the stage with her for their rendition of Parachute.

He is also said to have spent three nights at the Surrey mansion Cheryl, 26, once shared with Chelsea player Ashley.

Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am has also been a rock to Cheryl, who filed for divorce from cheating Ashley last week, citing 'unreasonable behaviour'.

He has described her as the 'most beautiful woman in the world' so it would be understandable if he was just a little bit jealous of Cheryl and Hough's sultry performance.

Cheryl looked her usual stunning self last night, and showed off her impressively toned thighs in a pair of sparkly pants, a revealing bodice and cape.

According to reports she is planning to go on a sailing holiday with 25-year-old Derek later this month after her tour with the Black Eyed Peas comes to an end. The pair are set to embark on a trip to the California island of Catalina.

Cheryl is schedule to perform two last dates with the Peas in Paris on Friday and Saturday night.

The U.S. group will then play a few festivals across Europe before taking its Energy Never Dies tour to North America